Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the rock phosphate application on accumulation and translocation of heavy metals from the soil to the roots, shoots and fruits of eggplant (<i>Solanum melongena</i> L.) grown in a sewage sludge amended soil contaminated with Cd, Pb and Ni were 30, 30 and 60 mgkg<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. The obtained results demonstrated that the sewage sludge application caused a significance accumulation of metals in the fruits of eggplant. The concentrations of these metals in the fruits were in the order of: Pb > Cd > Ni. The fruits of eggplant were not safe for the human consumption, because the levels of heavy metals exceeded the permissible limits. These, heavy metals in different parts of eggplant can be ranked in the order of: roots > shoots > fruits, were (mgkg<sup>-1</sup>). The soil-plant transfer factor (TF) showed that the order of uptake of metals by eggplant was: Cd > Ni > Pb. This calls for concern especially in the case of Pb and Cd which are highly toxic and of no known biological use. Therefore, Eggplant should not be cultivated in the farms and fields which use sewage sludge contaminated with heavy metals as an amendment.
Highlights
Fruit Yield The data illustrated in Table (3) revealed that statistically significant differences in the average fruit yield of the eggplant existed among the treatments
It was clear that the benefit from application of the rock phosphate-sewage sludge mixture was greater than the application of the sewage sludge only
The data illustrated in Table (3) indicated that the highest fruit yield as the application of the sewage sludge may be its enrichment with the plant essential nutrients that is important for the plant growth
Summary
Vegetables (eggplant, tomato, cucumber and pepper...etc.) constitute an important part of the human’s diet. They are considered as a potential source of important nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins [10]. Eggplant, (Solanum melongena L.), is one of the most important vegetables worldwide It ranks the fourth of world vegetable production after tomato, cucumber, and pepper. In Egypt, eggplant is a common and popular vegetable and a major crop (1.1 million tons) grown in different areas. It is a good source of minerals, like other prominent solanaceous vegetables such as tomato, and it is important for the human nutrition
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
